A stunning museum quality Roman bronze and enamel trumpet brooch dating to the 1st or 2nd century AD. The top half of the brooch is decorated with three cells of bright red and blue enamel - all of which remains. Amazingly the original hinged pin still opens and closes and the brooch could still be worn as intended. This specific type of brooch is classified by Mackreth as the 'Trumpet Knop' type - as the two parts of the bow are divided by a knop recognisably derived from some varieties of trumpet brooch. The surface of the bronze is decorated with incised lines and petalling on the knop. There is a cast loop on the stub to accommodate a chain. This example is in near perfect condition - by far the best example I have ever seen with an even dark green patina, complete enamel and an original working hinged pin - this fantastic piece of Romano British history was reputedly found near Portsmouth in the 1960's.

Dimensions: 55 mm x 33 mm.

References: D. F. Mackreth, Brooches in Late Iron Age and Roman Britain. Plate 67. 12141.